Friday 4 January 2013

Chinese Zodiac (CZ12)

Jackie Chan is back!!! But what you would see is a marginally slow version of a person who has, over the years given us some of the best martial arts displays on screen ever. But I would challenge any of you to find me a 58 year old gentleman (in the truest sense of the word) who can come remotely close.

Somewhere in the 19th century, a French ship captained by the great great grandfather of a famous French socialite – Katherine (Laura Weissbecker) – makes its trip to the orient. The ship is called The Indestructible. When they reach their destination, they ensure that the Old Summer Palace of the then monarch is pillaged to the hilt.

They obviously make away with all the gold that they can muster and artifacts that are rated worth millions of euros today. One such artifact are the twelve Bronze statues of the Chinese Zodiac. The French went off with just the heads of the statues which have now started surfacing in bits and pieces. Katherine herself is in possession of one statue but is unaware of its worth.

The MP corporation led by Lawrence (Oliver Platt) has through the years built its might in this business. They, however, do not deal with the originals as much as they do in fakes. The fakes itself are worth millions but much lesser millions as compared to the originals. But to make a fake you need the authentic piece and helping him source that is JC (Jackie Chan) aka The Asian Hawk.

Most Chan movies do not have a semblance of production values other than the aspect of the action sequences. The action is usually top notch and the primary contributor is Chan himself. Although, as compared to previous movies, you may not find the end titling gaffes as elaborate. But you will definitely enjoy most of the stunts that this absolute artist has come up with this time.

The opening sequence starts with some high speed luging down a hill somewhere in Europe. There is a treasure hunt on a desolate island and a fight with some pirates and sliding down the island on a humongous log. That pretty much peppers the space upto the final climax that has Chan free falling towards an active volcano. Totally brilliant stuff if you are a Chan fan. As a movie just about 6 on 10 I would guess.

Trailer on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_hXhposGag

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